BELLE’s P.O.V
It’s been two weeks since I met Hansel. It’s also been two weeks since I heard about him and his works.
I don’t know if he’s already done with the painting since I’m reserving the money that was lent by Hendrick to emergency purposes. Who knows if an assassin came to me again, come to think of it, it’s been peaceful here for a while now, I don’t sense any assassin or other people who wanted to murder me.
It’s also been two weeks since I last saw Hendrick, the last time I saw him was when he asked me about my ideal man and after that, I didn’t see him anymore.
“Snacks, my lady.” May put the snacks on the table.
I’m here in the garden, I wanted to have fresh air.
“Thank you May.”
May nodded before returning to the kitchen.
I was thinking if I should go see Hansel or not, I need to make sure that he’s painting. My future’s in him now, even though I want to take his time, I also want him to finish it as soon as possible for me to move on with my plan.
“I should have included the deadline of the painting.”
I sigh.
“My lady, you have a guest.” May suddenly appeared.
Who could it be? I’m not expecting a guest.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Hansel.” Oh!
Right timing!
“Let him in.”
I did a quick retouch, thankfully I’m wearing decent clothes right now.
What could be his intention on coming here? I wonder.
Few minutes later, I saw him already, he’s walking behind May.
He bowed as soon as he saw me.
“Good afternoon my lady.” He said and bowed to me first, the bow that’s the same as what Hendrick was using. What happened to him, is he really that grateful to me? I’m sure it isn’t.
“Good afternoon, how can I help you?”
He smiled at me.
Dude, why are you smiling… It better be good news.
“I have good news my lady.”
Oh yeah!
I can’t contain my smile. This is it!
“What is it?”
He showed something from behind. What’s that?
I didn’t ask him, instead, I waited for what he would show me. Is it a painting?
Hansel slowly unpack the big thing.
Too slow!
I waited for him to unpack it but May seemed impatient, she ripped off the paper that was covering the thing.
“May!” I exclaimed.
You!
Hansel seemed embarrassed at what happened. Should I pinch May?
“Is that the painting?” I ask, let’s change the atmosphere.
“Yes my lady, here it is.” He showed me his painting.
I was in awe, it looks real!
“Wow.” Both May and I were in awe.
“It’s not that good-”
“What are you talking about? It’s gorgeous!”
I walked towards the painting, this looks like the work of a professional.
“You can be Gustav Courbet!” I couldn’t contain my excitement, I wanted to jump in joy!
“Who’s that my lady?” May asked.
Oops…
“Nothing!” I examine the painting more.
So this is the reason why he became popular huh.
This is really good, it almost looked like I was looking at the princess personally. I may be bad at art but I know how to differentiate what’s good and bad, this work is really good!
“You did great!” I praised Hansel.
While scanning the painting, I search for the important part- his signature. I made sure that he will put his signature on it because that’s how he will be recognized. At first, of course he refused but after I bought him his materials, he finally agreed. Just like how he looked confused when I told him that I need him to paint the princess and not me, he must be wondering at that time why I want him to paint her instead of myself, but after we purchased his equipment, he agreed anyway.
He looked shy all of a sudden, it looks like he’s avoiding eye contact with me.
“Is something wrong?”
He bowed again.
“I-I’m sorry!”
What…
Why is he sorry?
“I-I didn’t recognize your lady…”
Oh! That’s what he’s talking about. So he didn’t recognise me the first time and second time we met, not until he came here. He must be feeling guilty since he’s treating a noble lady like some lady in the village, he can’t blame himself though, who would have thought that I am a noble. Don’t tell me he felt bad about it?
“It’s okay, you don’t have to feel sorry.”
“But-”
“It’s really okay, Hansel.” I assured him.
I don’t feel bad about it anyways.
He still looked shy, he’s still looking downward.
I gestured to him to come near me.
“Thank you for accepting my offer.”
Hansel stayed for another hour before he went home, he’s still shy even after he decided to go home. It’s not a big deal to me anyways.
“Where should we put this?”
May was holding the canvas in her hand. It’s so big that it can cover half of her body.
Hm…
I was thinking of how to make it recognised by the princess. Should I ask someone to deliver it to the palace?
Well, I’m not too sure if someone would deliver it to her without any damage, especially when they saw what’s inside, who knows if they change Hansel’s signature to theirs.
Should I just deliver it myself?
“May, do you have any idea when the princess will go outside?”
Or does the princess even go outside? I need to know where she’s going so that my plan to deliver her personally the canvas would be easy.
“If I’m not mistaken, she will go to the nearby village tonight.”
“Really?!” That’s great!
“How did you know?”
She shrugged, as always.
“I have my ways.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Why would she go to that village?”
“They’re celebrating the newly built capital there.”
Hmm…
That must be a good chance to give her the painting.
“Okay, I’ve decided.”
May looked confused.
“Let’s go to that village tonight!”
“What, why?”
“I will execute my plan tonight, so that tomorrow will be my day!”
May gave me a questioning look.
“Nevermind, let’s just prepare for it."
I asked her to cover the canvas and help me change my dress.
I like the dress that I have here even though they're quite old but there's one thing that I hate about it, that's when I have to wear it or remove it.
It's freaking hard!
When we're ready to go, I prayed for this plan to be successful. This needs to be a success!
May rent a carriage, but we can't walk to go to that nearby village because that's quite far from here, unlike the other village that we're going to before.
While riding the carriage, I told May the things that we needed to do.
"So, you're telling me to put this thing inside the princess' carriage?"
"Exactly!"
Her eyes widened.
"How would I do that?! My lady!"
"Stop exaggerating so much! Of course I have my plan!"
We're yelling at each other at this point. She's exaggerating too much.
"What if this plan failed?" She asks.
"This won't fail if you do well."
I winked at her.
"But if I fail, do you know what will happen to us?!"
"We'll be imprisoned." I said, stating the obvious.
"You know but you still want me to do this?"
I smiled at her.
"Just trust me, May."
She shook her head.
"I can't believe it."
I tapped her shoulder.
"Believe me."
For the first time, May wasn't able to shut me out. She was the one who was shut this time. It felt nice to see her like this! I can't stop laughing in my head.
When we get to the village, as expected, there are lots of people. Maybe some of them were to celebrate but for sure, some of them came just to see the princess.
We get down the carriage and look for a spot where the princess carriage will pass.
"My lady, isn't there another way?" She looked nervous.
"There isn't, so don't think of failing this one if you don't want to be charged with treason."
"Goodness." I heard her mumble.
hehe. Don't be nervous, my precious May!
I got this, I spent my precious two hours thinking about this strategy.
When we saw the princess' carriage, I told May to cover her face.
"You know what to do, I'm rooting for you."
I said before running towards the princess' carriage.
Acting skills start now!
I pretend to be hit by the carriage.
"Ouch!"
I was wearing a mask and shabby clothes.
The carriage immediately stopped.
Everyone looked in our direction. That's right, look here!
"Oh my, what's happening?"
"Was she hit?"
"Is she okay?"
People start to murmur, louder!
That’s what I need!
“What’s happening?” Later on, a voice from the carriage filled the place. One of the guards came to her, they must be telling her what happened.
The other guards checked on me.
“Are you okay old lady?”
What, who are you calling old?!
“Oww…” I was holding my back to make it believable.
The guards that were surrounding the princess’ carriage, as expected, came towards my direction.
“It’s your chance now, May!”
“Are you okay?”
One of the guards helped me stand.
“My back hurts…” I changed my voice to make it sound like an old lady.
“She’s hurt.” The coachmen told the guards.
“...”
“...”
They were talking about something but I couldn’t focus my ears on them, I was looking at the direction of the carriage secretly.
May, how is it?
I was praying when I saw her running in the opposite direction, she’s not holding the canvas anymore!
“Miss?”
I looked at the guard, wow, look at those biceps!
When May finally landed on the opposite side of the road, it's a sign that she's done doing her task.
Then it's time to end this act!
"Oh, my back is now alright!"
I acted like everything’s fine now. I even move my arms up and down, and jump a little as if I was doing some exercise.
My plan was to walk away quietly but the other guard seemed to be suspicious of me. Don’t be like that!
“May we see your face?” The suspicious guy asked me.
Of course not!
What should I do?!
Think! Think! Think!
“Oh, I forgot to get my dinner! I’m starving already! I should leave now, goodbye everyone, have a great night!”
Then I started to walk away from the scene.
People looked confused but they eventually continued the event, they couldn't stop the carriage any longer because the princess was inside.
When I got to the other side of the road where there were no people, I heard a faint scream from the carriage. It must be the princess!
I can’t stop laughing, what would her reaction be? She must be frightened because someone put a strange thing inside her carriage, but why is her reaction late?
I was expecting her to react the moment May opened her carriage door since May looked suspicious with her outfit. Don’t tell me she didn’t notice May putting the canvas inside?
I met May at our designated meeting place, she was breathing heavily when I saw her.
“How is it?” I asked her.
She gave me a thumbs up as an answer.
“Great! Now, let’s go home!”
We rented a carriage and went straight home.
Now that we’re finally done with the initial plan, all we have to do is to wait for tomorrow.
“May.”
She looked at me.
“Prepare yourself tomorrow.” May looked confused but didn’t ask. She must already have grasped what’s about to happen tomorrow, but will Hansel be alright? Knowing his personality, he surely will panic when the imperial guards come to his store and ask for his whereabouts.
I wish you luck, Hansel! Just hang in there!